Arkansas Medicaid director Gene Gessow resigns

Arkansas Medicaid director Gene Gessow resigns

Arkansas' Medicaid director is resigning as the state works on a proposal to change the way the program pays for services.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' Medicaid director is resigning as the state works on a proposal to change the way the program pays for services.

Department of Human Services Spokeswoman Amy Webb said Tuesday that Gene Gessow resigned his post Monday and his last day will be in November. Gessow was director of the Division of Medical Services in the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Webb said Gessow is taking a job with the state of Massachusetts to be closer to his family.

Gessow was hired in 2009 and had previously served as Iowa's Medicaid chief.

Gessow oversaw the development of a proposal Arkansas has made to switch from a fee-for-service model that Medicaid uses. Webb said the state will continue working on that proposal, despite Gessow's departure.